Dispensing chute for nested articles



June 8, 19 5 R. E. MATTESON DISPENSING CHUTE FOR NESTED ARTICLES Filed Nov. 30, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Russell E. Malfeson KARL (llFLocxs ATTORNEY FIG. 1

J1me 1965 R. E. MATTESON 3,187,942

' msrsusmo crw'rn FOR ms'rsn mucus Filed Nov. 30. 1961 v 3 Shoots-Sheet 2 Russell E Maheson KARL. ul F'Loccs ATTORNEY R. E. MATTESON DISPENSING CHUIE FOR NESTED ARTICLES June 8 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 30, 1961 FIG. 6

INVENTOR Russell E. Malfeson ATTORNEY KARL ul F Loccs 3,187,942 DISPENSING CHUTE FOR NESTED ARTICLES Russell E. Matteson, Morris, Ill., assignor to Diamond International Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 30, 1961, Ser. No. 156,062 8 Claims. (Cl. 221304) This invention relates generally to dispensing chutes and more particularly to a dispensing and storage chute used to permit storage of an exceptionally high stack of nested containers and removal of the lowermost thereof one-by-one in a relatively e'fiicient and expeditious manner.

Molded pulp articles, such as egg cartons and the like, have a relatively soft surface which protects the contents; however, the soft surfaces promote frictional resistance to separation of the nested articles. Additionally, molded pulp articles generally are not susceptible to excessive deformation, i.e. twisting and bending after they have been pressed or calendered. There has been a constant endeavor in the molded pulp art, especially with respect to egg cartons, to provide means improving the protection of the contents.

One development, for example, which has been generally accepted in egg cartons of the character disclosed in United States Letters Patent to I. W. Cox 2,771,233, issued November 20, 1956, is a container which incor porates vertically extending post-like elements which project above the upper periphery of the bottom or cell portion of an egg carton for engagement with the substantially planar under surface of the lid of the container.

This improved container is not generally susceptible to removal from a vertical chute of the character disclosed in applicants United States Letters Patent 2,941,693, issued June 21, 1960, inasmuch as the postlike elements provide considerable structural strength to the container but resist deformation necessitated in fol lowing a lower curve portion of the storage chute disclosed in the last-mentioned patent. The chute disclosed in United States Letters Patent 2,941,693 is very satisfactory and practical for use with containers of the character disclosed in the patent to Cox 2,771,233; however, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel dispenser chute for nested articles which encompasses all the desirable features of the dispensing chute disclosed in applicants Patent 2,941,693 and yet provides improved features not contemplated therein.

In view of the developments in the molded pulp egg container art, especially with respect to those containers including a vertically extending post-like element, it has been found especially desirable to provide a dispensing and/or storage chute in which the vertical path of travel defined by the chute is uncurved to permit ready gravitation of a stack of nested articles therein.

In view of the developments in the molded pulp egg container art, especially with respect to those containers including a vertically extending post-like element, it has been found especially desirable to provide a dispensing and/or storage chute in which the vertical path of travel defined by the chute is uncurved to permit ready gravitation of a stack of nested articles therein. Chutes without curves, for example, are desirable, inasmuch as space is conserved in the egg packing rooms without any loss of the benefit and structural and functional advantages over the prior art.

Additionally, a relatively high stack of nested containers, such as egg cartons, involves a considerable mass when combined in a nested stack, and thus it is necessary to provide means to support a stack of such nested containers to permit one-by-one removal by a packing op- United States Patent 3,187,942 Patented June 8, 1965 "ice erator, with a minimum of effort and a maximum of efficiency.

Further, the dispensing or storage chutes should be available for constant use in the egg packing room and the replenishment of the supply of the containers should not interfere with or impair the efiiciency of the packing operator. Still further, due to changes of temperature, the stack of nested containers are subject to shrinkage, when left in the dispensing chute overnight, which often, for example, results in the containers dropping from the storage chute which gives rise to inefficiency in the egg room.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an economically manufactured, practical, improved dispenser chute for nested articles of the character mentioned, which includes all the desirable advantages of the prior art and which attains advantages in installation space, efficiency with respect to maintenance and which enhances the operation and efficiency of a packing operator in an egg room.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel dispenser or storage chute of the character mentioned which includes improved container stack-holding and dispensing means including wear compensating features for the functioning parts; as well as providing means whereby nested containers may be removed oneby-one from the bottom of the stack of nested containers in a ready and expeditious manner; further, permitting ready replenishment of the containers without interfering with the normal operation of the egg room and which insures that the stack of nested containers will remain in the storage chute in spite of thermal changes causing dimensional changes of the stack of nested containers disposed in a storage or dispensing chute.

Other objects and the nature and advantages of the instant inventon will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the novel dispensing and storage chute, illustrating a dual type installation in which two adjacent vertical stacks of nested containers are stored and dispensed;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the novel chute disclosed in FIG. 1, looking at the side opposite that seen in FIG. 1, intermediate portions of the container stack being omitted;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view taken substantially on the plane of line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, front elevation of one of the dispensing and storage chutes of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, vertical section taken substantially on the plane of line 55 of FIG. 1, and showing the position of the parts of the brake assembly of the chute in the release position for a portion of a vertical stack of nested articles, this position being an opposite position of the similar parts disclosed in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation, similar-to FIG. 2, showing a modified guide rail element of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section stantially on the plane of line 77 of FIG. 6.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and first considering FIGS. l5, a novel storage and dispensing chute is indicated generally at 10. It is to be understood that although a dual type chute has been illustrated and will be described in detail, the invention encompasses multiple or single chute installations incorporating the novel functioning structure of the invention.

The dispenser chute 10 includes a frame indicated generally at 12, the frame being skeletonized, as will subsequently be described in detail,- and included on a lower taken sub- 3 portion of the frame is lateral-pressure and abutment means indicated generally at 14. Disposed on an intermediate upper portion of the frame 12 is a brake as sembly indicated generally at 16, and an embodiment of supplemental brake means is indicated generally at 16 in FIGS. 6 and 7.

The frame 12 is of any suitable height. The frame can be suspended from the ceiling or attached to a verti- Cal wall. The frame 12 includes mutually parallel, spaced vertical bar elements 18, 20 at the front of the dispenser chute and vertical rear frame elements 22, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 6. Extending transversely between the lower ends of the frame elements 18 and 20 is a bar 24 which includes transverse apertured portions through which extend threaded ends of frame forming rod elements 26, 28 and 30. The elements 26-30 extend through suitable apertured portions of a rear lower channel element 32 to which the vertically extending frame elements 22 are attached. Disposed parallel to the elements 26-30 and' spaced thereabove are similar externally threaded rod, frame elements 34, 36 and 38 upon which is mounted a suitably apertured angle iron or support member 40 providing means for supporting the brake assembly 16. The rear portions of the frame elements 3438 extend through a rear angle iron 42 to which the elements 22 are suitably attached.

' The externally threaded elements 26-38 and 34-38 have secured thereto cap nuts 44 at the lower portion of the frame 12 and nut elements 46. Thus, it will be observed that the frame 12 may be adjusted for different external, dimensioned containers indicated generally at C inasmuch as the dimensions of containers or egg cartons receiving pullet eggs differ considerably from those egg cartons or containers which receive the extra large size eggs. Briefly referring to the containers, the containers C include a bottom or cell portion 48 formed as a plurality of egg receiving cells 50, adjacent cells having disposed therebetween, see FIG. 3, vertically extending cushioning or support posts 52 which project a considerable distance above the peripheral margin 51 of the egg cartons or containers. Hingedly attached at 54 is the top or lid 56 of the container which includes a peripheral flange 58, and the lid and bottom portion 48 of the cartons have, formed at opposite sides in alignment with the hinge line 54, inwardly extending notches 60. The cartons or containers C are nested as clearly seen in FIG. 1, and to anextent are relatively difiicult to separate,

especially in view of the elongated and small dimensioned.

upper end portion of the post 52, see FIG. 2.

Extending in parallel relationship to the elements 18, 20 and 22, and mounted on the frame elements 30, 38, 28, 36, and 26, 34 are vertical guide strip elements 62, 64 and 66, respectively, which extend into the previously mentioned notch portion 60, between the bottom and lid of the vertically stacked cartons. The guide elements 62-66 are adjustably retained on the elements 30, 38, 28, 36, and 26, 34 by means of suitable nut elements 68. The guide elements 62-66 may be adjusted longitudinally of the frame rod elements to compensate for different sizes of containers or cartons.

Considering FIGS. 6 and 7, the supplemental brake assembly 16' incorporates in guide elements similar to the guide elements 6266 a longitudinally extending strap 70 disposed in juxtaposed relation on the guide elements, one of which being indicated at 62 in FIG. 6 and being retained thereon at its upper end by means of a nut and bolt assembly 71. The strap 70 incorporates in an intermediate portion thereof in a suitably tapped transverse aperture an adjusting screw 72 which abuttingly engages the adjacent surface of the guide element 62. The screw 72 may be adjusted to spread the guide element 62 apart or away from the adjacent surface of the strap 70, and thus provide a tapered elongated abutment portion 73 which impedes the gravitational movement of the cartons C in the dispenser chute.

. vertically spaced teeth portions 75, the spaces 76 therebetween receiving the adjacent lip portion of the peripheral flange 58 of the top portion of the container. The depending abutment elements 74, see FIG. 2, are of a character similar to those disclosed in applicants United States Letters Patent 2,941,693.

The guide elements 6266 include a plurality of vertically spaced apertures, as indicated at 77, for receiving therethrough a support shaft 78 comprising a nut and bolt assembly which has journaled thereon a circular,

resilient disc element 80 projecting into the path of travel defined by the frame elements 18, 20, 22, 62, 64 and 66. The disc elements 80 have a tapered peripheral edge and extend beneath the peripheral flange 51 of the container to abuttingly engage the lowermost container of a vertical stack disposed in the dispenser chute, and these elements 80 are deformable to permit one-by-one removal of the lowermost containers or cartons in the stack and will have, to an extent, rolling contact with the containers as they are withdrawn from the dispenser chute to compensate for wear on the disc elements, i.e., the disc elements being rotated each time a container is removed. This expedient not only compensates for even wear on the disc elements, but also tends to reduce resistance to removal of the containers from the dispenser chute by providing substantial rolling contact therewith.

The lateral-pressure and abutment assemblies 14 each comprises vertically disposed disc elements 82, in a plane parallel to the plane passing through the elements 80 and disposed thereabove. The lateral pressure disc elements 82 are journaled on the rod elements 26-30 and have a configuration similar to the elements 80, being both resilient and deformable. The elements 82 are retained on the rods 26-30 by means of suitable nut elements 84. The elements 82,'it will be noted, are disposed in a plane substantially parallel to a plane passing through the guide elements 6266 and are adjustable along the rods 26-30 for engagement with the peripheral edge of the flange 51 of the bottom 48 of the egg containers.

v The assembly 14 includes abutment means comprising an L-shaped bracket 86 having a depending leg 88 retained on the rods 26-30 by means of suitable nut elements 90. The bracket'86 includes a horizontal leg 92 integral with the leg 88 and having mounted thereon by means of a suitable nut and bolt assembly 94 a resilient, deformable disc-like element 96 which projects into the vertical path of travel defined by the dispenser chute. The element 96 is adjustable about the axis of rotation defined by the elements 26 and 30 and is also adjustable along the longitudinal axis of these frame elements. The elements 96 will be disposed beneath the peripheral flange 51 of the bottom portion of the containers C, and as the lowermost container is withdrawn from the dispenser chute, it will have a rolling action on the disc element 96 as it is drawn forward to accordingly provide rotation of the element 96 to compensate for wear thereon. Additionally, the lateral pressure element 82 will have some rolling engagement with respect to the peripheral edge 51 of the containers to also compensate for wear thereon. The rotation of the elements 80, 82 and 96 will facilitate removal of the containers as well as provide wear compensation.

Thus, it will be noted that the guide elements 62, 64 and 66- are adjustable on rods 26, 34; 28, 36; and 30, 38 between elements 24,32 and 40, 42 to compensate for different width containers. The disc elements 80 are adjustable vertically on the guide elements by means of aperture 77; see FIGS. 1 and 2. The lateral pressure elements 82 are adjustable on rods 26, 28 and 30 toward and away from the guide elements 62 -'66; it being noted that the lateral pressure elements 82 extend in a plane parallel to the guide elements for providing pressure on the outer edge of the stack of cartons; as clearly seen in FIG. 1. The abutment elements 96 are pivotally adjustable about the longitudinal axis of the rods 26-30 and horizontally adjustable on rods 2630 toward and away from the guide elements 62-66. Thus, it is possible to adjust the just mentioned elements to accommodate for the load of the stack of cartons disposed thereon. The load will generally comprise those containers of the entire stack disposed beneath the brake assembly 16 or beneath the expandable guide rod or brake assembly 16'.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the brake assembly 16 comprises in the dual dispenser chute installation shown in FIG. 1, the L-shaped support member 40 which inicludes a vertical flange 100 and horizontal flange 102. The vertical flange 100 is suitably apertured to receive threaded rods 34, 36 and 38 therethrough. At selected intermediate portions of the support member 40, substantially centrally of the vertical paths of travel V and V dcfined by the dual chute installations, the brake assemblies 16 are located. The vertical flange 100 includes an enlarged transverse aperture 106 in alignment with a similar aperture 104 formed in a vertically extending abutment strap 108, secured by tack welds 1:10, for example, to the outer surface of the vertical flange 100. A threaded sha fit or rod 116 projects through the apertures 104 and 106 and enlarged aperture 118 formed in an angular portion 120 of a depending operating lever 122. The lever 122 abuttingly engages the outer surfiace of the strap 108 for a purpose to subsequently be described in detail.

Threaded on the rod 116 is an externally knurled disc 124 engaged by a wing nut 126. Fixed to the terminal end ot the shaft or rod 116 is a leg 128 of a horizontally disposed angle element 130 which includes a horizontal leg 132 guidingly engaged beneath the flange 102 of the support member 40. Fixed in horizontally spaced relation at opposite ends of leg 128 are vertically extending brake shoes 112 having angular end portions 114 and 115. Oircumposed about the rod 116 in engagement with the inner surface of the flange 100 and the adjacent surface of the leg 128 of the angle element 130 is a compression spring 119 which normally urges the brake shoe 112 into engagement with the edge of the stack of containers C disposed in the vertical paths of travel V, V of the dualtype dispensing chute 10. The compression spring normally urges the brake shoes 112 with sufiicient pressure to retain the stack of containers C thereabove in a fixed position. This relieves the load on the abutment and lateral pressure elements previously described; see FIG. 1 and the containers C disposed above the vertical path of travel V. The containers are removed one-by-one, as previously described in detail, and after all of the containers have been removed from below the brake assemblies 16, the lever 122 can he manipulated to draw the brake shoe away [from the edge of the containers or cartons 48, overcoming the normal pressure exerted by the spring 119 to permit additional cartons to be sup-ported by the abutment elements and lateral pressure elements. It will be readily recognized that it would be possible to use a single brake shoe 112.

The amount 'of pressure exerted by the brake shoe or shoes can be adjusted through the expedient of the knurled disc 124 and Wing nut 126. The path of movement of the brake shoes 112 is guided through the sliding engagement of the flange 102 and leg 132 of the angle element 130.

Thus, there has been disclosed a novel dispenser chute which incorporates all of the advantages of the prior art, and affords additional advantages and desirable features as set forth in the objects of the invention.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore the invention is not to be limited to what is shown in the drawing and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for holding a plurality of nested, tray-like articles in a vertical stack and permitting them to be removed at the lower end of the stack one-by-one, said device comprising vertical chute means defining a vertical path of travel through which the articles may gravitate, abutment means on the lower end of said vertical chute means for retaining the articles thereabove, lateral-pressure means for engaging said articles and impeding the gravitational descent thereof in said vertical path of travel, and a brake assembly on an intermediate portion of said chute means, said brake assembly including a pressure applying portion normally urged into said vertical path of travel of said articles and for engaging and retaining a portion of the vertical stack of tray-like articles thereabove and segregating and permitting a portion of said stack of articles therebelow to freely gravitate onto said abutment means to be removed from said chute means onvby-one, said brake assembly including an oscillatable, depending lever element connected to said pressure-applying portion for moving the same normal to said path of travel, said pressure-applying portion comprising at least one vertically disposed brake shoe mounted on a support element projecting laterally from said chute means, a mounting element on said chute means through which said support element extends, spring means interposed between said one brake shoe and said mounting element, a terminal abutment element on said support element, said lever being supported on said support element for oscil lating movement between said terminal abutment element and said mounting element whereby said spring means can be overcome to permit said brake shoe to be moved horizontally out of said vertical path of travel of said articles.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which said vertical chute means includes opposed vertical guide elements at opposite sides thereof, said abutment means including a lower disc element journaled on a horizontal axis of rotation on each of said guide elements for abuttingly and rotatably engaging an end of the lowermost article disposed in said chute means, said lateral pressure means comprising a pair of opposed disc elements, each journaled on a separate axis of rotation parallel to the axes of the disc elements on said opposed guide elements for applying lateral pressure to the periphery of articles, and a second pair of opposed abutment elements, each journaled on a separate vertical axis of rotation on said chute means for abuttingly and rotatably engaging the lowermost article in said chute means as it is withdrawn from said chute means.

3. A device for holding a plurality of nested, tray-like articles in a vertical stack and permitting them to be removed at the lower end of the stack one-by-one, said device comprising vertical chute means defining a vertical path of travel through which the articles may gravitate, said vertical chute means including at least one opposed pair of vertical guide elements at opposite sides thereof, and lateral pressure and abutment means mounted on the lower portion of said chute means for retaining a stack of articles therein, said lateral pressure and abutment means comprising a first pair of vertically disposed disc elements journaled for rotation on substantially horizontal axes and adjustably mounted for movement toward and away from said guide elements and disposed at opposite sides of said chute means for engaging opposite ends of the outer peripheral edge of articles disposed in said chute means and applying lateral pressure thereto, said abutment means comprising a second pair of disc elements adjustably mounted for movement toward and away from said guide elements and mounted on substantially vertical axes of rotation at opposite sides of said chute means for engaging beneath opposite ends of the lowermost article disposed in said chute means.

4. The structure as claimed in claim 3 in which said vertical guide elements include adjacent the lower ends thereof a third pair of disc elements journaled on substantially horizontal axes of rotation and mounted on the lower ends of said guide elements for engaging beneath opposite ends of the lowermost article disposed on said chute means. I

5. The structure as claimed in claim 3 is which said chute means includes a pair of opposed, externally threaded rods extending from front to rear at the lower portionof said chute means, said first pair of disc elements being adjustably mounted on said rods, said second pair of disc elements including L-shaped bracket elements adjustably mounted on said rods.

6. The structure a claimed in claim 3 in which said vertical guide elements include thereon a brake assembly comprising an intermediately disposed strap adjustably mounted on said guide elements for imposing frictional resistance to movement of articles in said vertical path of travel in said vertical chute means. I 7. The structure as claimed in claim 3 in which said disc elements are resilient and circular, said disc elements tapering from the center thereof to the circumferential edge thereof.

8. In a dispensing chute for dispensing nested articles in a vertical path of travel one-by-one, vertical chute means including an opposed pair of vertical guide elements at opposite sides of said chute means, a disc element journaled on a horizontal axis of rotation at the lower end of each of said guide elements for abuttingly and rotatably engaging opposite ends of the lowermost article disposed in said chute means, lateral pressure means comprising a pair of opposed disc elements journaled atthe lower end of said chute means on axes of rotation parallel to those of the disc elements at the lower end of said guide elements and disposed thereabove for applying lateral pressure adjacent opposite ends of the peripheral edge of articles disposed above said first-mentioned disc elements, said last-mentioned pair of disc elements being adjustable toward and away from said vertical guide elements, and abutment means comprising a third pair of opposed disc elements journaled on substantially vertical axes of rotation at opposite sides of said chute means and adjustably mounted on said chute means for movement toward and away from said vertical guide elements for rotatably engaging the lowermost article in said chute means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,095,319 5/14 Erwin 221-23 1,208,802 12/16 Lienau et al 221-296 X 1,664,164 3/28 Endter 221-303 X 1,677,546 7/28 Clauss 221-296 1,689,393 10/28 Klein 221-308 2,629,479 2/53 Sneed et al. 221-289 X 2,668,627 2/54 Wetzler 221-221 2,941,693 6/60 Matteson 221-309 X 2,974,828 3/61 Matteson 221-297 X 2,993,621 7/61 Mumma 221-211 X RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner. KENNETH N. LEIMER, Examiner. 

1. A DEVICE FOR HOLDING A PLURALITY OF NESTED, TRAY-LIKE ARTICLES IN A VERTICAL STACK AND PERMITTING THEM TO BE REMOVED AT THE LOWER END OF THE STACK ONE-BY-ONE, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING VERTICAL CHUTE MEANS DEFINING A VERTICAL PATH OF TRAVEL THROUGH WHICH THE ARTICLES MAY GRAVITATE, ABUTMENT MEANS ON THE LOWER END OF SAID VERTICAL CHUTE MEANS FOR RETAINING THE ARTICLES THEREABOVE, LATERAL-PRESSURE MEANS FOR ENGAGING SAID ARTICLES AND IMPEDING THE GRAVITATIONAL DESCENT THEREOF IN SAID VERTICAL PATH OF TRAVEL, AND A BRAKE ASSEMBLY ON AN INTERMEDIATE PORTION OF SAID CHUTE MEANS, SAID BRAKE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A PRESSURE APPLYING PORTION NORMALLY URGED INTO SAID VERTICAL PATH OF TRAVEL OF SAID ARTICLES AND FOR ENGAGING AND RETAINING A PORTION OF THE VERTICAL STACK OF TRAY-LIKE ARTICLES THEREABOVE AND SEGREGATING AND PERMITTING A PORTION OF SAID STACK OF ARTICLES THEREBELOW TO FREELY GRAVITATE ONTO SAID ABUTMENT MEANS TO BE REMOVED FROM SAID CHUTE MEANS ONE-BY-ONE, SAID BRAKE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING AN OSCILLATABLE, DEPENDING LEVER ELEMENT CONNECTED TO SAID PRESSURE-APPLYING PORTION FOR MOVING THE SAME NORMAL TO SAID PATH OF TRAVEL, SAID PRESSURE-APPLYING PORTION COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE VERTICALLY DISPOSED BRAKE SHOE MOUNTED ON A SUPPORT ELEMENT PROJECTING LATERALLY FROM SAID CHUTE MEANS, A MOUNTING ELEMENT ON SAID CHUTE MEANS THROUGH WHICH SAID SUPPORT ELEMENT EXTENDS, SPRING MEANS INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID ONE BRAKE SHOE AND SAID MOUNTING ELEMENT, A TERMINAL ABUTMENT ELEMENT ON SAID SUPPORT ELEMENT, SAID LEVER BEING SUPPORTED ON SAID SUPPORT ELEMENT FOR OSCILLATING MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID TERMINAL ABUTMENT ELEMENT AND SAID MOUNTING ELEMENT WHEREBY SAID SPRING MEANS CAN BE OVERCOME TO PERMIT SAID BRAKE SHOE TO BE MOVED HORIZONTALLY OUT OF SAID VERTICAL PATH OF TRAVEL OF SAID ARTICLES. 